Telephone Contact as a Method of Prevention of Recurrence After a Suicidal Attempt: a Review

Abstract

Introduction

Previous suicide attempts and self-harm behaviors are one of the risk factors most strongly associated with suicide. Further, the risk of a fatal repetition of a suicide attempt is highest in the period immediately following the attempt, with a percentage between 12 and 30% during the first year.

Objectives

Performing a literature review of articles published about telephone contact as a method of prevention of recurrence after a suicidal attempt.

Aims

To present an overview of telephone contact as a strategy to prevent repetition of suicidal behaviors.

Methods

The literature review was produced using the computerized database PubMed from January 1966 to June 2014, using Spanish- and English-language limits and the key words: Telephone contact, suicide attempt, self-harm.

Results

There have been found a total of 5 studies which met the inclusion criteria, only one of them has obtained a significant reduction in the proportion of patients who repeated the suicidal attempt compared to the control group. In another study, the intervention has proved to be effective preventing suicide.

Conclusions

Although it could be a useful and inexpensive strategy, further investigation is needed in order to specify and improve the medium and long term efficacy of this intervention as a method of prevention from repetition of self-harm and suicide.